News, opinion and commentary

'Baby Bell' entering cable TV: New Jersey venture to use phone lines

Article Abstract:

Bell Atlantic Corp will cooperate with Future Vision of America Corp to provide 60 channels of television via a combination of fiber and coaxial cables to 38,000 homes in Dover Township, NJ. The arrangement comes consequent to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling earlier in 1992 that allows telephone companies to provide 'video dial tone' services for companies that distribute television programming. Phone companies are still prohibited from owning television systems in markets where the phone companies provide services. Future Vision of America will offer 124 channels of television, customized into packages of 60 channels each for specific neighborhoods. Pricing will be competitive with the $33 a month being charged by Adelphia Cable, the local cable franchise. The new venture marks the first time a telephone company has competed directly against a cable operation.

Author: Andrews, Edmund L.

Publisher:The New York Times CompanyPublication Name:The New York TimesSubject:News, opinion and commentaryISSN:0362-4331Year:1992

F.C.C. clearing airwaves for an era without wires

Article Abstract:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will issue new regulations Sep 23, 1993, establishing between three and six personal communications services (PCS) networks in each city and town across the country. The new networks will offer wireless digital-telephone and data-communications services much superior to current cellular-telephone service at about half the price. Competition among each area's service providers will keep rates down. PCS may eventually replace wired local-telephone service for many customers, and inaugurate an era in which bosses can call employees anywhere, anytime to make sure they are working. In a new departure, the FCC will award PCS radio licenses to the highest bidder, instead of by lot or on merit. Auctions could begin in May 1994, and are expected to bring up to $10.2 billion into the federal treasury by 1997.

Author: Andrews, Edmund L.

Publisher:The New York Times CompanyPublication Name:The New York TimesSubject:News, opinion and commentaryISSN:0362-4331Year:1993